Quotations from Antigone
Antigone is filled with quotations that can be pulled out of context and still contain
kernels of wisdom. Below are just a few, but there are many more. Choose any three
(you could choose from this list, but you don’t have to) and do the following:
1. Identify the speaker.
2. Explain the circumstances and meaning of the quote.
3. Agree or disagree with the message and explain why.

For no institution has so harmed humanity as the creation of money. It’s
destroyed even cities, it has expelled men from their homes; it teaches the minds
of honest men to deviate and take up foul things (23).

My lord, a mortal should never swear that something cannot happen, for hindsight
makes liars of our plans.

Her second insolence, after she had done it, was to exult in her deed and laugh
that she had done it. Now I am no man, but she is a man, if power lies with her
with impunity (30).

No evil is worse than disobedience. This one thing destroys cities, turns homes
upside down, it leads to the rout of allied armies; while those who live uprightly
are saved by obedience (38).

Father, the gods endow human beings with intelligence, which is the greates of all
possessions (38)

You see how, in the winter storms, the trees yield that save even their twigs, but
those who oppose it are destroyed root and branch. Just so the captain who never
slackens his sail once he’s stretched it gets his boat turned and sails the rest with
benches upside down (39).

For every human being makes mistakes, but when he has made a mistake, that
man is no longer foolish and unhappy who remedies the evil in which he has
fallen and is not stubborn. Obstinacy brings the charge of stupidity (50).
You can write this on lined paper or type it. See the back for an example.
“For no institution has so harmed humanity as the creation of money. It’s destroyed even
cities, it has expelled men from their homes; it teaches the minds of honest men to
deviate and take up foul things” (23).
Creon is speaking to the guard, accusing him of being bribed by the person who buried
Polynices to not reveal who that person was. Even though the Creon is wrong – the
guard was not bribed – he still reveals some wisdom. Sometimes seemingly good people
do horrible things in order to make money. The CEO of Wallmart made roughly $19.3
million last year. That is 796 times what the average employee makes, and the average
employee does not make a living wage. This person is clearly driven by money and his
own personal gain, and as a result has policies that are harmful to employees and their
families. I have also seen good people steal from others in order to have what they feel
they deserve. Creon may have made some foolish decisions in the play, but he still has
wisdom to impart.